Village of Beautiful Misfits

I really enjoyed painting this piece!  I like the layered images, the color, and the expressions.  This piece took me a while but it was worth it! It is acrylic and 20x20 on canvas.

Art Journaling...

Third painting in the soft colors...

There is something so pleasing to the eye of a soft palette.  Most of my work is about bold color but lately I have been enjoying using neutral and soft color.  This is my third 11x17 of this style and that makes it a ‘series’. I am calling this “Acknowledge Me”.  The middle figure seemed to be searching for some sort of connection.  I think the quarantine is finally getting to me! Enjoy...

“My World”

I feel  connected to this piece. It combines some of my spiritual symbols with one of my ‘warrior’ women.  For some reason I am Very strongly connected to it.  The feeling of connection and provoked thought is what art is all about.  That is what we artist paint for-connection. In a nutshell, man is uplifted through relating to the whole gamut of life. In special ‘aha’ moments.

Enough philosophy from me🤨. In a couple weeks I will distance from it but until then, I will enjoy looking at it.👍

“Community”

When I look at this, I see “Community”.  Individuals, all different, but creating our  mini worlds.  The blocks with spheres, for me, represent that which we do not know or can not perceive.  We exist on a level created by self concepts but there is so much more-or so I imagine.....

New piece and reworked piece...

 Two sister pieces.  One is brand new and the other one is an older piece that I reworked.  Not sure what their  titles are but suspect they are a start of a longer series!

I see a sweetness and kindness in them. Putting the animals in them is fun! So- be on the lookout for more👍.

“The Anointing “

Newest completed painting. Have mixed feelings about it.  Sometimes an artist has to distance themselves from a piece before they have a true reading on it.  I think it has to do with expectations....

Art journaling obsession...

 Having fun working on my art journal.  Have become fascinated with adding three dimensional aspects.  So here are the newest spreads.  I think the book will be quite entertaining!

Today is the day...

 Today is the day..Monday, March 10, 2020..you could say that my new mantle is ‘retired artist’, though I do not know if an artist ever really retires.  For me it means that I am turning a corner-no more shows, no more hustling- I am just going to paint for fun, smaller, and explore just for the heck of the experience.

Right now I am doing an art journal, really like making the little books. These are the first 3 spreads of a 15 spread book.  Enjoying the process.  Thanks for letting me share with you because I will always create and want to share.

 This is an exercise that I did for a class and though it was dubious at times whether it would work, I found that I really like the end result.  No title....just done.  Thanks for looking👍.

“The Gathering”

Sometimes you paint an image on the canvas, and it just sits on your shelf. Something is just not right and you don’t know what it is but you keep not choosing it for shows. That is what was going on with this image.  Finally, I faced the realization I needed to push it further. I knew I had to go for it. I think now it is finished. And I really can’t wait to show it. The title is “the gathering“.  It is a big piece about 3‘ x 4‘ and has quite an impact when seen.....will be in my next show.  I think I love it now...awwww

Smaller Project...

This is a hand made art book/journal and my plan was to finish it by the first of this year.  Oh well...I have three more spreads, some tweaking and then it will be done!  Maybe by my birthday, as in June...😏

“The Puppeteer”

Finally finished this piece and am onward to finishing up some smaller projects.  This work is layered with a lot of innuendos which I will not point out to you! They are yours to find...basically very pleased with the piece -enjoy

Working On Smalls

 I have been working on smalls-2 1/2 x 3 1/2”- ACEOs and selling them on Ebay.  This is probably not a good idea because I have a show I need to be painting for in August.  However, human nature being what is is...I am doing what I want to be doing!

The greatest pleasure I have as an older adult ( dare I say senior) is that I get to pick and choose what I want to do.  And I can always rationalize these small pieces as ‘practice’ for larger works.

so...That is my story and I am sticking to it....

Work in progress...

Usually I don’t post on this site unfinished work but time in the studio has been sparse as it always is this time of year and I wanted to check in with everyone!

This piece is titled, ‘the puppeteer’. Not all pieces have a name this early in the game but this one knew its’ name immediately.  Will post the finished piece probably in January.  How I long for dismal days when I hunker down in my studio,  but for now...I have to go bake some holiday cookies.

I have been busy....

As you know, I love to take online classes so that I do not get stale.  Quite a few of the online projects would utilize photos or magazine images in collage projects.  I never felt comfortable using someone else's work.  Sooo...I decided to do a small series (9) of monochromatic collage pieces using pieces from my own works.  An arm might be used from one image and a body from another-and this created new images and gave me the freedom to experiment with a lot of different processes.  Here are three of the nine pieces. You will note that a little color did creep in! Could not help myself.

The holidays are upon us and little to nothing gets done in my studio.  As an artist I love dreary days, cold weather, and any excuse not to go out.  Studio time is precious....But it is known that we find joy if we live in the moment.. so I remind myself daily to embrace the craziness of the season... may the end of this year bring you many blessings...love from my heart to you....di

Babies

This piece I am titling, "Babies".  It is mixed media/acrylic and 20"x 20" on canvas.  I started this piece before we went on a month vacation ( a 23 day cruise including going through the Panama Canal). We just returned and I got to get back in the studio, tweak this piece a little, and finally finish it.

This time of the year is always crazy with the holidays approaching and things to do.  We have 2000 kids that trick or treat in our neighborhood, which will happen this Thursday night.  I have come to love January where everything just pauses and resets.

Now to do some ornaments for a fund raising activity......it is all good....di

Birdie Verdi

Newest work....To describe my work, I would say...it is happy and dreamlike.  There does not have to be a definitive meaning to it.  The work is to make you pause, reflex, and wonder a bit.

Marc Chagall's work is an inspiration to me.  One of my favorite quotes of his is, "if you can't paint love, what is there worth painting?".  I hope that my work is filled with love....a rather big order but one can hope...

"A Walk in the Park"

I have been painting some pieces lately that I am not sure "why?".  Going with the flow and thinking that I am suppose to go down this path.  I have no idea where the destination is--but enjoying the journey, kinda...
#difergiart

"I See You"

This is such a sweet piece.  It sold the first day I posted it on facebook.  "I See You",  is available in my Etsy shop (Difergi) in an 8x10" print.  This piece just seems to capture a moment in time that is filled with wonder.  Sometimes an artist creates something that is magical and I feel that this is one of those times.

Midnight Ballerina

Have no clue what I was thinking when I started this piece.  But when I looked at all the scribbles and colors I had placed on the canvas, a ballerina emerged.  I see the girl dreaming of becoming a ballerina in the 'Midnight Circus", which is invaded with characters that only come out in the darkest and most whimsical part of the night.  So...sometimes you just let things happen.....

All Creatures Great and Small

Newest piece created for a local show themed, "All Creatures Great and Small".  Had fun interpreting the idea in my own style. Celebrating man and nature always.....Di

This piece is acrylic and 24" x 34" on canvas.

Sweetness....

 The theme of a local show I am entering in June
 is, "All Creatures Great and Small, the animal show."  I have two pieces that I am entering that are 'my style'.  They are crazy stylized abstracted imagery.  Because I feel that some people probably think that I just can not paint, I am entering this third piece (you can have up to three), which is done in a more classical style.  It has already sold which tells you I probably should paint more conservatively and make more $$.  But, alas, I paint with my own voice.  Having said all that, I do have to admit that the rabbit is really sweet.

"Day Dreaming"

This piece reminds me of me when I am in a meeting and my mind wanders.  This of course happens at about 3 minutes into the meeting.  I enter the world of my imagination and anything can happen.  It is a great place!  

Titled, "Day Dreaming", it is 12"x 16" and acrylic.

For You

"For You"

This is my newest piece.  I am calling it, "For You".  I am not going to tell you what it means, I will just let it talk to you personally.  It is a smaller piece (12"x16") and is acrylic.

Have a great conversation..... ;-)  I have to get back to work....di

Extraordinary is the Ordinary

Extraordinary is the Ordinary

Life is such a gift.

I use a lot of visual symbols as part of my visual stories and chairs for me, represent stable, functional, every day existence.  Yet, in my mind, they become more. They can become a magical source of joy, possibilities, and wonder. Every day is filled with common daily living but if you look closely, all things contain a seed of enigmatic possibilities.

When the ordinary becomes extraordinary that for me begins a story.

"The Ringmaster and Friends"

I think this is such a sweet piece.  It is only 11"x 14", so it is a small work for me.  If you follow my work, you will recognize these  characters from my 'village series'.  The Village is a magical place full of kindness and wonder and it is such a joy to paint these quirky characters.

This jewel has already found it's forever home in Canada.  I have to admit that I will miss it.

Monday

"Monday"

You haven't heard from me for a while but I have been diligently working.  This is a good size piece (30x48) with mixed media and I have titled it, "Monday".  If you scroll down a bit you will see a piece called, "Sunday".  So now you see where I am going with this. Hopefully, after you view this new piece, you can get an idea of what I think about society and cell phones.  As you know, an artist has to document her reactions to the times.

I also have been notified that this site may be discontinued in the near future.  If I read the notice right-the server will not be serving.  So I have created a new website www.difergi.com and hope you will visit me there.  Also, I almost daily post on Facebook as DiFergi's and sell on Etsy, (my store is Difergi) ....

So you can see that though I do not particularly like cell phones....Social media is my friend.  Find me :-)

A NEW VENTURE

This is kind of exciting for me! My art work is going to be featured as puzzles by the Art & Fable Puzzle company.  (you can find on facebook and instagram) What an awesome opportunity to have my work put in front of the public.  The first puzzle is currently in production and believe me, I will let you know when it is available and where to purchase.  Might I suggest some early holiday shopping.  Smiling from ear to ear-this is a good thing.  Di

Reaching for a compromise....

No name yet...trying to meld my 'village' characters into a more sophisticated style and it is taking me on quite a journey!  Getting there, but slowly, partly because the holiday season seems to have endless distractions.  But all is great and life/art evolves as it is suppose to.  For all of you -I wish a prosperous and content New Year...Thanks for journeying with me this year.....di

Family and commitment...

"We are the Village"

This is for a group of special friends and they are truly
'the village that raises the child'.  They are bonded together by their sisterhood, morals, and commitment to their families.

I really enjoyed painting this for them and am in awe of their inner strength and love for each other.

Faces

Hidden Secrets

Winter Maidens

I seem to be doing a lot of faces lately so I think I will do a couple animal paintings next to break up the flow.  Faces have always been something I am drawn to, for whatever reason and I suspect I will always return to them.  Enjoy....di

Three Faces

This was a class exercise and I really love it!  Yes, it is a bit strange, etc, but I love losing the forms, and the texturing of the paint.  I am currently doing another one just to see what happens and how I can incorporate it into my current work.  Wish me luck.....art has it own path of discovery...di

I LOVE to PAINT....

As a painter, I LOVE TO PAINT.  I love the color, texture, visual feel, and every little thing about painting.

This piece was last week's class from LFI2018, where we were to paint a portrait in the style of Lucien Freud.  Of course mine is not near what his work represents BUT I really loved doing a more realistic approach than I usually do.

It is always fun to experiment and get outside of a series that you are working on.

So I am sharing with you ...a passion....

Dance with the chairs....

Life is Magical

Have been prolific lately...I think it is because I was off visiting for almost two weeks with family and when I returned I just had a lot of creative energy to let out.  That is my theory anyway.

This piece is 30x30, acrylic on canvas and I am calling it, "Life is Magical".  I use to use a lot of chairs in my work.  For me, they symbolized that the ordinary can be extraordinary.  Many times, I have use chairs to express the whimsy and magic in our imaginations/spirits.

So anyway...here is my newest piece. Dance with the chairs! Enjoy....

"The Night Circus"

Sometimes you have a favorite painting and this is one of those times.  Perhaps it is because of my love affair with deep blue...maybe because I love a simple, pure image.  I do not know why but I do love this piece.  I am calling it, "Night Circus", because it reminds me of a book I once read.  The circus in the book was only black and white but still, I find the magic of that circus in this painting.

 

Frames Gifted to Me....Yay

"Diaspora"

 A good friend of mine, just gifted me with about 40 frames. She just started me on a new goal!  It is my intention to fill those frames in the upcoming year.  Some of the frames are standard sizes and some are oddball dimensions.  These two works are on paper (because I can trim the paper to fit) and will both go into gold frames.  This project is the type I like.  I have a bit of a challenge.

These two pieces are fairly large for a paper image.  The both measure 26"L x 22"H. They are acrylic and are slated for a small showing in December/January.

To be honest, I am not sure where I was going with them ...but I do like them both. :-)

"Where Do We Go From Here?"

"Sunday"

"Sunday"

This I am calling "Sunday"..it is one of those pieces that  I am not quite sure of yet but I am pretty sure that it is done.  It is fairly large, 36"x 36" and is acrylic.

My small polka dot horse is 'photo bombing' as he is my symbol for unconditional love.  The little girl in the green dress is quite in love with him! If there is anything we should treasure, especially on Sunday, it is unconditional love.  IMHO

This piece has a real folk art feel to it.  Who knew??? I see a bit of Gauguin and who knows who else in it. Maybe ME!

Enjoy...

Newest in "Village Series"

"Remembering and Waiting"

Could not decide if she was remembering or waiting.  So in order to not decide, I elected to use both in the title.  What is she waiting for?  What is she remembering?  What are we all  remembering and waiting for?   Great questions, and it is up to you, the viewer to decide.  Not me though-- I have my own theories.

This is 18x24, acrylic on paper.... enjoy!

Having fun with COLOR!!!!

Hats

Sultry

Good thing that I am not afraid of color!  What fun pieces to do.  For the top one I got to dig out my ancient oil pastels and go to town.  I am definitely going to do more of these.

I have a Renoir challenge coming up and I think I am going to do a contemporary party scene somewhat in the styles of these two pieces.  A big piece!  Now all I have to do is find a party to go to and take pictures.  In my small little town that may be a challenge...hmmmm, must throw party myself- great a picture of a bunch of old people!  Squash that idea...